A method comprises preparing a cooling device for use in a therapeutic cooling apparatus. The cooling device comprises a self-contained unit. The therapeutic cooling apparatus comprises a cavity being configured to accept a portion of a user's body part, a quantity of a liquid for surrounding the body part and an apparatus portion being configured to retain the cooling device. The apparatus portion further comprises a divider separating the apparatus portion from the cavity. The divider is configured to be operable for transferring heat from the liquid to the cooling device. The method further comprises chilling the cooling device, placing the body part into the cavity, and filling the cavity with the liquid to surround the body part enabling a heat transfer from the body part to the liquid and a heat transfer from the liquid through the divider to the cooling device to cool the user.